Liquid and gas separator for electric switches



Feb. 9, 1932. H. P. PINKHAM 1,344,139

LIQUID AND GAS SEPARATOR FOR ELECTRIC SWITCHES Filed April 2. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 821i I I O is I I \x 0 r |H-- l e O .1 Q 1- o 9 F 0 h I L I I J o :1 LI W1 20 l2 Hy Ifivefii ar.

Feb. 9, 1932.

H.- P. PlNKHAM ,844,139

LIQUID AND GAS SEPARATOR FOR ELECTRIC SWITCHES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' Filed April 2. 1930 Patented Feb. 9, 1932 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HENRY P. PINKHAM, 0F WOLLASTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIG-NOR TO CONDIT ELEC- TRICAL MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, OF SOUTH BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A

CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS LIQUID AND GAS SEPARATOR FOR.- ELECTRIC SWITCHES Application filed April 2, 1930. Serial No. 440,943.

This invention relates to liquid and gas separators and especially to separators for removing oil from the gas stream issuing from an electric oil switch uponcircuit inter ruption.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an improved separator which is suitable for use in connection with the vent pipe of an electric switch and which is simpler and less expensive than separators hitherto provided for this purpose. 7

An oil separator for an electric switch should be located at some point above the switch casing whereby to permit the' separated oil to flow back through the vent pipe into the casing; and particularly with truck type switches .should be carried by and located directly above the switch casing so as to be movable with the switch. With previous separators this usually has hitherto been impracticable due to the extensive lateral dimensions which, if the separator were mounted directly above the switch casing, dangerously decreased the flash-over distance between the switch terminals and the grounded casing.

It is therefore a further object of this invention to provide an oil and gas separator of this type which is so small in its lateral dimensions that it can be mounted on the top of the switch casing without decreasing the insulation between the switch terminals and the adjacent grounded parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide a separator having an external vent passage which is normally closed and which remains closed until some elevated pressure has been built up in the separator casing.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a. gas and oil separator having a generally tall and slender casing suitable for attachment directly to the enclosing casing of an electric switch.

Another object is to fabricate the separator mainly out of standard tubes and plates.

A yet further object is generally to improve the construction and operation of oil and gas separators.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an electric switch having associated therewith an oil separator embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the separator.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the separator.

F l is a transverse section through the separator taken along line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a similar section taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a detailed perspective view of the return valve.

The oil separator 10 embodying this invention, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, comprises a relatively tall cylindrical casing having the circular bottom wall 12 and the up standing tubular side wall 14 which coinprises a section of a standard tube or pipe. The bottom wall 12 is provided at one side with an integral upstanding flange 16 at the perimeter thereof which is generally rectangular and which has an integral radially outstanding cylindrical boss 18 provided with an internally screw-threaded passage 20 that is adapted to receive the screw-threaded end of a vent pipe 22 for an electric switch through which oil and gas pass from the switch casing into the separator. The lower end of said tubular side wall let is permanently secured in a fluid tight manner, preferably by welding, to the periphery of the bottom wall 12 and also to the inner face 24 of the flange 16, Fig. 4. The side wall 14 is provided with a cut-out passage or notch 26 at the bottom thereof which is in alignment with a semi-circular passage 28 in said flange 16 by means of which passages fluid communication is established between the interior of said separator casing and the entrance passage 20 for the incoming gas and oil.

A check valve of the clapper type, most clearly shown in Fig. 6, is secured to the outer face of flange 16 within the passage 20. Said valve includes an upper bracket 32 which is fixed to said flange by screws 38 and a lower valve plate 34 which is pivotally supported on a stud 36 of said bracket in position normally to overlie and close the semi-circular passage 28 in said flange l6. Said valve is provided with a smaller passage 38 therein, through which the combined stream of oil and gas issuing from the vent pipe 22 can enter the separator casing. The valve is so arranged that the pressure of the outflowing gases from the switch casing holds the valve firmly against the seat 40 provided by the flange 16 about the passage 28 and slows up the gas stream in the vent pipe 22, thus permitting the gas to some degree to break through any large slug of oil which may be carried into the vent pipe ahead of the gases and also to build up a suitable elevated pres sure within the switch casing.

A cover, preferably formed as a casting, is provided for the open top of said tubular upstanding wall 14 including a generally flat, circular cover plate 42 having a concentric upstanding cylindrical wall 44 which is provided with a central gas discharge passage 45 having a reduced internally screw-threaded portion 46 at the top thereof. Said cover plate 42 is provided with an annular boss 48 on its lower face which is adapted to be received closely within the inner bore of the tubular wall 14 and center said cover plate thereon, in which position said cover plate 42 is adapted to be secured to the wall 14 in a fluid tight manner, preferably by welding. Fluid communication is established between said discharge passage 45 and the interior of the separator easing by means of a vertically aligned but smaller passage 50 in said cover plate. 1

Means are provided normally to close said passage 50 against escape of gas therethrough. Said means comprise a weightloaded valve 52, of cylindrical shape having the conical annular valve face 54 at its lower end which is adapted to cooperate with a similar valve seat 56 formed at the upper end of said passage. Said valve 52, as shown most clearly in Fig. 5 has a depending stem portion formed integral therewith comprising the radial webs 58 which terminate in arouate end portions 60 which are adapted to be closely received within the passage 50 whereby to guide said valve for vertical movement .to uncover said passage 50 when sufficient pressure is developed in the separator casing to overcome the weight of the valve. Under these conditions oil-free gases present in the separator casing are free to rise through the passage 50 between the webs 58 of said valve and escape to the atmosphere through the gas discharge passage 45. An externally screwthreaded nipple 62 is provided in said upper screw-threaded portion 46 which may be connected to a suitable vent conduit, or head er, not shown, if desired. A bushing 64 is secured in the lower end of said nipple 62 having an outstanding integral flange 66 which overlies the end thereof and which in the most elevated position of said valve 52 is adapted to be engaged by a pair of diametrically opposite upstanding lugs 68 of said outlet passage of the separator valve to limit the raised or open position of the valve.

The casing is provided with an integral semi-cylindrical wall or vane 7 O which consists of a section of standard tube or pipe and extends from the bottom wall 12 thereof to the bottom of said cover plate 42. Said bottom wall and cover plate may be provided with suitable aligned upper and lower annular recesses 7 2 to receive said vane 70 and said Vane is preferably secured permanently, by welding, to said bottom wall prior to welding the outer wall 14 in position thereon. Said vane, as shown most clearly in Fig. 4, has the edge thereof adjacent the inlet opening 26 connected with the side wall 14 by a flat vertical baffle plate 7 6 which is co-extensivc with the length of vane 70 and is formed from a flat plate or bar of sheet material. The is in line with the axis of the vane 70 and the gases are constrained to pass through the circular passage provided by this wall 14 and vane 70 and circle around the free edge of said vane to enter said outlet passage. Thus the oil will be largely separated or thrown out of the gas and settle to the bottom of the separator before the gas stream passes into the outlet passage. The arrangement is such that the bafiie plate 7 6 and the vane 70 provide means for deflecting the gas stream entering the separator chamber through the entrance passage 26 so as to direct the stream against the inner surface of the outer casing wall 14. Inasmuch as the oil particles are heavier than the gas particles, the oil tends to move along the inner bottom of the chamber while the gas is free to rise and occupy the upper portion of the casing. Said plate 76 is welded at its edge to the edge of the "ane 70 and is also tacked at its top to the top of the wall 14 prior to welding on the upper cover.

Due to the fact that the separator chamber extends a substantial distance above the inlet passage 26 a. considerable volume of oil can gather in the casing before the above described separating action ceases. When the pressure within the separator casing is sufficiently great to raise the valve 52 from its seat, the gases in the upper part of the casing can escape therefrom comparatively free from entrained oil. When the pressure in the switch casing again becomes normal, the oil collected from the gas stream is adapted to flow back into the casing through the vent pipe 22, which is suitably inclined downward ly toward the casing for this purpose. During the return flow of the oil the plate 34 of the clapper valve is forced from its seat by the head of oil in the separator, thus permitting the oil to return quickly to the switch casing and to recondition the switch for subsequent operation.

The separator is adapted to be mounted if face of wall 14 and gravitate to the Ill) directly on the casing of an electric circuit interrupter and as is here shown the vent pipe 22 is connected with the mechanism compartment and gas expansion chamber 78 of the interrupter casing 79 by means of an elbow 80 one end of which is exteriorly screwthreaded into a boss 82 formed integral with said casing. The bottom wall 12 of the separator casing is provided with an integral depending web 84 which constitutes a foot for supporting the separator and which rests upon the top of the switch casing, as shown in Fig. 2.

It will be noted that, by reason of the horizontal vent pipe 22, the separator is located at one side of the vertical plane including the terminals of the interruptor and that, due to its small diameter and its location relative to said switch members the flash-over distance between the switch terminals and the switch casing is not dangerously reduced by the presence of the separator.

Various changes in the construction and location of the separator may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Certain features of the invention are described and claimed in my copendingapplication Serial No. 216,877, filed September 1, 1927.

I claim:

1. A liquid separator comprising a vertical casing having a top and a bottom wall and a cylindrical side wall provided with an entrance at the bottom thereof, a semi-cylindrical vane located in said casing concentrically with said cylindrical side wall and extended to said top and bottom walls, said top wall having a discharge opening therein which lies within and is bounded by said semi-cylin drical vane, one edge of said vane being opposite said entrance, and a guide plate extended from said edge and terminated adjacent said entrance and at said cylindrical wall to guide a gas and liquid stream to flow into the circular passage between said vane and wall, said plate being also extended vertically from said bottom to said top wall.

2. A liquid separator comprising a vertical casing having a top and a bottom wall and a cylindrical side wall provided with entrance at the bottom thereof, a semi-cylindrical vane located in said casing concentrically with said side wall and extended to said top and bottom walls, said top wall having a discharge opening therein which lies within and is bounded by said semi cylindrical vane, and a guide member extended between said cylindrical wall and vane and located in a position adjacent said entrance to go 'de a and liquid stream to flow from said entrance along the circular passage between said vane and wall and into the space behind said vane.

3. A liquid separator comprising a vertical casing having a top wall, a flat bottom wall and a cylindrical side wall, a semi-cylindrical vertical vane located in said casing con centrically with said cylindrical side wall and extended to said top and bottomwalls, a vertical partition member extended between said side wall and one edge of said vane and to said top and bottom walls, said ide wall having an entrance in the bottom thereof adjacent said partition member at the level of said bottom wall and communicating with the circular passage between said side wall and vane, and said top wall having an exit passage which opens into the interior of said vane at the top thereof.

4. A liquid separator comprising a vertical casing having a top and a bottom wall and a cylindrical side wall, a vertical vane located in said casing and extended from said bottom to said top wall and having a convex face which confronts and is spaced from approximately half the circumferential extent of said cylindrical wall and a concave face which confronts the remaining extent of said wall, a guide member which is extended vertically between said top and bottom walls and from one edge of said vane to said cylindrical wall and constitutes a clo sure for one end of the space between said wall and said convex face of saidvane, said wall having an entrance at the bottom thereof against said vane into said space, and said top wall having an outlet which opens into said casing at the concave side of said vane.

5. A liquid separator comprising a vertical casing having a circular bottom plate provided at its edge with an upstanding flan e ofshort peripheralextcnt, said casing also hav ing a cylindrical tube seated on said plate with its side wall against said flange, said flange and tube having registering apertures therein which provide an entrance to said casing, a top plate seated on said tube ant constituting a cover therefor having an outlet which is co-axial with said tube, a semi-cylindrical vane located in said casing co-axially with said tube and extending from said bottom to said top plate and bounding said ou let and having a side edge which confronts said entrance, and a vertical guide member whichextends from said edge to the inner face of said tube adjacent said entrance.

6. A gas and oil separator comprising a relatively tall and narrow upstanding cylindrical casing open at the top, having an en.-. trance at the bottom through the side wall thereof for the mixture of gas and oil, a cover for the open top of said casing having a central discharge passage for the gas including an enlarged chamber, a loaded valve located in said chamber normally closing said pas sage, a vertically disposed vane in said casing having a curved portion which is spaced from and is substantially parallel with the cylindrical side wall of said casing, and means con-, necting said vane at one edge with the side wall of said casing adjacent'said entrance, whereby to direct the entering gas stream to flow in a circular path between said casing and vane.

7. A gas and oil separator comprising a relatively tall and narrow upstanding tubular casing open at the top and having an entrance at the bottom through the side wall thereof for the mixture of gas and oil, a cover for the open top of said casing having a central discharge passage for the gas, said cover having a chamber in said discharge passage, means including a loaded valve normally closing said passage, and a vertically disposed bafiie extended from the entrance of said casing at one side thereof into said casing, and a curved In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

HENRY P. PINKHAM.

member at the inner end of said bafile which 7 is spaced from and is substantially parallel with the side wall of said tubular casing.

8. A gas and oil separator comprising an upright cylindrical side wall having a horizontally directed entrance passage therethrough at the bottom, a fiat circular bottom wall welded to the lower periphery of said side wall and forming a fluid tight closure thereat, a flat circular top wall welded to the upper periphery of said side wall and having a centrallylocated gas discharge passage therethrough, a vertically disposed semicylindrical vane located within and concentric with said cylindrical side wall and having its bottom edge welded to said bottom wall and having its top edge adjacent said top wall about and enclosing the gas discharge passage therein, and a vertically disposed baflle plate extended between said top and bottom walls and having one side edge thereof welded to a side edge of said vane, and having its other side edge welded to said cylindrical side wall adjacent and at one side of the entrance passage therein.

9. A gas and oil separator comprising an upright cylindrical side wall having a horizontally directed entrance passage therethrough at the bottom, a fiat circular bottom wall welded to and forming a fluid tight closure at the bottom of said cylindricalside wall, a flat circular top plate welded to the top of said cylindrical side wall and having a centrally located upwardly directed gas discharge passage therein, a semi-cylindrical vane disposed within and concentric with said cylindrical side wall and having that diameter thereof including its side edges located in alignment with said entrance passage, said vane having its bottom edge welded to said'bottom wall and having its top edge located adjacent to said top wall about the gas discharge passage therein, and a vertically disposed bafiie plate located within said cylindrical side wall having one edge thereof welded to the edge of said vane adja cent said entrance, and having its other edge welded to said cylindrical side wall adjacent and at one side of said entrance passage, said 

